Brazilian Music and Dance

Olodum musicians in Bahia. The world famous drum group
Olodum plays African beats with a Brazilian twist.
photo by Chris Judge

"You sleep only in order to dance again, for you have coupled permanently with the waves. Now ??I understand how it feels for music to be as effortless as breathing"
from Why Is This Country Dancing? by John Krich

Under the influence of the many cultures of the immigrants that settled in Brazil, the variety of rhythms and dances that have been born in this country is more than one can count. Starting with the native ritual music that later the Portuguese Jesuits made suitable to their liturgies, to the percussive beats of the Africans, Brazil received many great cultural influences that helped shape it's unique fusion.

In his book "Why This Country Is Dancing" John Krish wrote "Brazil's many rhythms, practically one to a town , evolve with a dynamism that far outstrips the plodding of researchers."

Here is a list of some of those rhythms/music styles and dances for you:

BATUQUE: Originated in a ritual of procreation that came with the African slaves from Congo and Angola. Dancing to the sounds of the drums, a man and a woman improvise moves in the center of circle. When they want to pass a chance to another couple they do that with an umbigada. (navel to navel)

CAPOEIRA

People making music with Mestre Caboclo
photo by Chris Judge

CARIMBO: Folkloric dance which originated in the state of Para in the area of the Brazilian Amazon. Danced to the accompaniment of drums and sometimes strings. The carimbo takes it's name from the large African drum. Man and woman dance and when the woman throws her handkerchief on the floor her companion picks it up using only his mouth.

CONGADA: Danced in circles in honor of Saint Benedict and our lady of Rosary.

Cordoes: Carnaval group that sing and dance together on the streets.

CHORO: A style of music that became popular in the sixth decade of the ninth century. The name Choro is related to the melancholy characteristic of the music. It was named Seresta when there was a singer as a soloist and Choro when it was all instrumental.

Maracatu: Performed out doors at the Carnaval and Christmas time in Pernambuco it involves man and woman in a procession that mixes theater and music elements. The principal figure of the procession is the "Queen" who is protected by a canopy and surrounded by costumed consorts.

MODINHA: Arias about love or lament. Music that expresses sentiment of nativism and nationalism. Usually done in binary or ternary compass.

Santa Clause with the Berimbau
photo by Chris Judge

PASTORIS: Theatrical representations in front of the Nativity scene at Christmas time. The dramatic dances and songs performed praise and commemorate Jesus' birth.

SAMBA

SAMBA ENREDO: a samba composed to be sang at carnival time by the schools of samba. The theme of the samba always celebrates a patriotic or historical event or person.

FREVO: Dance and style of music preeminent in Recife (capital of the state of Pernambuco). Happy rhythm with fast melodies performed especially at carnaval times in street parades. The frevo ensembles bring to mind a big band with saxophones, trombones, trumpets, shakers and the pandeiros.